On April 30, a landmark event in the Armenian music scene took place in Yerevan – the “Khazer” Music Awards, organized by the Armenian National Academy of Music. Hosted at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex, the ceremony celebrated the achievements of Armenian musicians and recognized emerging talent.
The Armenian National Academy of Music was established to introduce qualitative and modern changes in Armenian singing. The “Khazer” Awards became one of the first major initiatives of the Academy, bringing together experts and music lovers to honor and encourage excellence in Armenian music.
The “Renaissance” Foundation joined this important initiative as a partner of the awards. Founder Artur Janibekyan attended the ceremony, and on behalf of the Foundation, Artak Aleksanyan, producer of the Foundation’s programs, presented the winner of the “Best Classical Singer” nomination to Liparit Avetisyan.
The name of the awards is symbolic: khazer refers to the Armenian medieval musical notation system, which was studied in depth by the great Komitas.
Speaking about the significance of the event, Araksya Musheghyan, a member of the Armenian National Academy of Music, noted:
“Khazer is our foundation, and we are interesting to the world only with the music that has a foundation. Today it is very difficult to compete with global trends if what you present is not individual and unique.”
The directing team of the awards ceremony was led by Hrach Keshishyan, with Artur Manukyan and Naire Stepanyan joining the project.
“I thank everyone who believed in and supported the academy. I am also grateful to the skeptics who did not believe in the establishment of the academy, which gives motivation. The academy has a lot to do, and this was the first step.”
The ceremony’s special guest was two-time Grammy winner Keith Wakeley, composer and producer, and head of the Texas branch of the American Recording Academy, which hosts the Grammy Awards.
The “Khaz” statuette, created specifically for the ceremony, was designed by sculptor and artist Arman Nur.
“In the central part of the award is a glass symbolizing water, a double-sided sign of eternity, and around are figures depicting the 12 months,” Nur explained.
The awards recognized excellence across 17 nominations, selected from more than 500 applications. Highlights included:
- Best Singer: Erik Karapetyan
- Best Female Singer: Sona Rubenyan
- Best Song / Best Video: “Yerevi,” Aram MP3
- Best Composer: Andranik Berberyan
- Best National Song or Song Arrangement: “Komitas” Choral Suite, Avetis Berberyan
- Best Author-Performer / Discovery of the Year: yellowheart
- Best Group-Project: LA Project
- Best Musical Project and Stage: Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello, staged by Al. Spendiaryan National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet
- Best Rock Artist or Group: Nemra
- Best Hip-Hop and R&B Artist or Group: D’Litte
- Best Jazz Artist, Instrumental Performer or Group: Yerevan Calling
- Best Classical Project: Symphonic Reincarnation, Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and “Reincarnation”
- Best Classical Singer: Liparit Avetisyan
- Best Cover: Let Every New Year Warm Our Hearts, Martin Ulikhanyan
- Special Award: Ruben Matevosyan
The partnership of the “Renaissance” Foundation underscored its commitment to supporting Armenian culture and celebrating artistic excellence.